26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:26-27 (ESV) 中文 

Religion or relationship

Though we in Evangelical Christendom don’t consider Christianity to be a religion, we understand James’ point. To him, religion is the true demonstration of faith. But followers of Christ today focus on our faith being a relationship. It’s more a reaction to the emphasis of all other religions (and cults) on doing good works for salvation. We distinguish Christianity from those and emphasize a personal relationship with God. 

Walk the talk

Now that we’ve been instructed on how to be a doer of the Word James sets out to give us an example of how we should put some legs on it. You know, “Walk the talk”. If we just talk a lot or worse, tear down and sin with our words, what we believe is worthless since the Bible doesn’t instruct us in that way. So what is right?

Unbridled tongue

• “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Proverbs 29:11)
• “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” (Proverbs 10:19 ESV)
• “The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood, But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.” (Proverbs 12:6)

These are just a few examples of the unbridled tongue. I’m sure all of us can relate. And as for the bridle part, most of us have been around or at least seen horses being ridden. Of all the pieces of equipment used to ride horses, the bridle is the most important part for it controls the monster. If you don’t know how to use the bridle, they are smart and try to knock their riders off! James is laying the groundwork for the tongue topic he will raise later with great emphasis. 

Real “religion”

So, in contrast to an unwieldy tongue, James tells us what a proper demonstration of religion is. These are, of course, not the only proper demonstrations but maybe they give us some goal posts. To take care of widows and orphans is a noble task. When Jesus talks about the final judgment and the separation of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, what key phrase stands out? Verse 40: “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.”

Regarding “unstained from the world”, one verse that comes to mind is 1 John 2:15-17: “15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.”

RЯeflection

• How are you demonstrating true religion? Does this passage convict you and lead you to the mercy seat of God to ask forgiveness? I encourage you to repent. God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse of all unrighteousness! (1 John 1:9)
• Controlling the tongue, as James will show us shortly, is impossible. Yet God calls us to do the impossible – by the power of the Spirit, by walking by the Spirit, keeping in step with the Spirit and being led by the Spirit (Gal 5:16-18) – as a horse is led by its master.